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TheH2O Standard

City of Austin Water & Wastewater · serves 1,115,323 people

Tap Water Quality in Austin, TX 78701

City of Austin Water & Wastewater's own testing found 14 contaminants above EWG's health guidelines, led by Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) at 2,333x, Haloacetic acids (HAA9) at 471x, Bromochloroacetic acid at 209x. Here's every one, what it does, and what takes it out.

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The numbers

Above EWG health guidelines

14

contaminants

Other contaminants detected

15

under the guideline

Tested for, not found

212

chemicals

People served

1,115,323

City of Austin Water & Wastewater

Met federal legal limits in the latest quarter the EPA assessed (April 2024 - June 2024). Legal doesn't mean the water meets today's health guidelines: most legal limits haven't moved in about 20 years, and many of these chemicals have none. Travis County, TX.

Contaminants Above EWG's Health Guidelines

Detected in 2021-2023 at annual averages over the level a public health authority considers safe. Most have no legal limit at all.

  • Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)

    2,333xEWG guideline

    This utility
    2.33 ppt
    EWG guideline
    0.001 ppt
    Legal limit
    10 ppt
    • Activated carbon
    • Reverse osmosis

    State avg 0.783 ppt · US avg 0.523 ppt

    What is this contaminant?

    Perfluorohexane sulfonate is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. Perfluorinated chemicals can cause serious health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, accelerated puberty, liver and immune system damage, and thyroid changes. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and they accumulate in people. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.

    Where it comes from: industry, runoff & sprawl.

  • Haloacetic acids (HAA9)

    cancer

    471xEWG guideline

    This utility
    28.3 ppb
    EWG guideline
    0.06 ppb
    Legal limit
    None
    • Activated carbon
    • Reverse osmosis

    State avg 23.9 ppb · US avg 23.7 ppb

    What is this contaminant?

    Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of nine haloacetic acids includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid, which are regulated as a group by the federal government (HAA5); and bromochloroacetic acid, bromodichloroacetic acid, chlorodibromoacetic acid, and tribromoacetic acid.

    Where it comes from: treatment byproducts.

  • Bromochloroacetic acid

    209xEWG guideline

    This utility
    4.18 ppb
    EWG guideline
    0.02 ppb
    Legal limit
    None
    • Activated carbon
    • Reverse osmosis

    State avg 3.82 ppb · US avg 2.8 ppb

    What is this contaminant?

    Bromochloroacetic acid is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromochloroacetic acid and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy.

    Where it comes from: treatment byproducts.

  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

    cancer

    209xEWG guideline

    This utility
    31.4 ppb
    EWG guideline
    0.15 ppb
    Legal limit
    80 ppb
    • Activated carbon
    • Reverse osmosis

    State avg 25.6 ppb · US avg 29.1 ppb

    What is this contaminant?

    Trihalomethanes are cancer-causing contaminants that form during water treatment with chlorine and other disinfectants. The total trihalomethanes group includes four chemicals: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform.

    Where it comes from: treatment byproducts.

  • Bromodichloromethane

    cancer

    168xEWG guideline

    This utility
    10.1 ppb
    EWG guideline
    0.06 ppb
    Legal limit
    None
    • Activated carbon
    • Reverse osmosis

    State avg 6.5 ppb · US avg 5.89 ppb

    What is this contaminant?

    Bromodichloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromodichloromethane and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

    Where it comes from: treatment byproducts.

  • Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

    cancer

    104xEWG guideline

    This utility
    10.4 ppb
    EWG guideline
    0.1 ppb
    Legal limit
    60 ppb
    • Activated carbon
    • Reverse osmosis

    State avg 12.5 ppb · US avg 19.8 ppb

    What is this contaminant?

    Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid.

    Where it comes from: treatment byproducts.

  • Dibromochloromethane

    cancer

    102xEWG guideline

    This utility
    10.2 ppb
    EWG guideline
    0.1 ppb
    Legal limit
    None
    • Activated carbon
    • Reverse osmosis

    State avg 5.95 ppb · US avg 3.55 ppb

    What is this contaminant?

    Dibromochloromethane, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Dibromochloromethane and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

    Where it comes from: treatment byproducts.

  • Dibromoacetic acid

    94xEWG guideline

    This utility
    2.83 ppb
    EWG guideline
    0.03 ppb
    Legal limit
    None
    • Activated carbon
    • Reverse osmosis

    State avg 2.64 ppb · US avg 1.13 ppb

    What is this contaminant?

    Dibromoacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

    Where it comes from: treatment byproducts.

  • Dichloroacetic acid

    cancer

    30xEWG guideline

    This utility
    6.01 ppb
    EWG guideline
    0.2 ppb
    Legal limit
    None
    • Activated carbon
    • Reverse osmosis

    State avg 6.77 ppb · US avg 8 ppb

    What is this contaminant?

    Dichloroacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

    Where it comes from: treatment byproducts.

  • Chloroform

    cancer

    22xEWG guideline

    This utility
    8.67 ppb
    EWG guideline
    0.4 ppb
    Legal limit
    None
    • Activated carbon
    • Reverse osmosis

    State avg 7.52 ppb · US avg 16.2 ppb

    What is this contaminant?

    Chloroform, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Chloroform and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy.

    Where it comes from: treatment byproducts.

  • Trichloroacetic acid

    cancer

    16xEWG guideline

    This utility
    1.57 ppb
    EWG guideline
    0.1 ppb
    Legal limit
    None
    • Activated carbon
    • Reverse osmosis

    State avg 2.14 ppb · US avg 6.57 ppb

    What is this contaminant?

    Trichloroacetic acid, one of the group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards, is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Haloacetic acids and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

    Where it comes from: treatment byproducts.

  • Chromium (hexavalent)

    cancer

    8.7xEWG guideline

    This utility
    0.175 ppb
    EWG guideline
    0.02 ppb
    Legal limit
    None
    • Ion exchange
    • Reverse osmosis

    State avg 0.32 ppb · US avg 0.44 ppb

    What is this contaminant?

    Chromium (hexavalent) is a carcinogen that commonly contaminates American drinking water. Chromium (hexavalent) in drinking water may be due to industrial pollution or natural occurrences in mineral deposits and groundwater. Read more about chromium (hexavalent).

    Where it comes from: industry, naturally occurring.

  • Bromoform

    cancer

    5.2xEWG guideline

    This utility
    2.60 ppb
    EWG guideline
    0.5 ppb
    Legal limit
    None
    • Activated carbon
    • Reverse osmosis

    State avg 3.34 ppb · US avg 1.44 ppb

    What is this contaminant?

    Bromoform, one of the total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), is formed when chlorine or other disinfectants are used to treat drinking water. Bromoform and other disinfection byproducts increase the risk of cancer and may cause problems during pregnancy. Click here to read more about disinfection byproducts.

    Where it comes from: treatment byproducts.

  • Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)

    3.5xEWG guideline

    This utility
    1.06 ppt
    EWG guideline
    0.3 ppt
    Legal limit
    4 ppt
    • Activated carbon
    • Reverse osmosis

    State avg 0.464 ppt · US avg 1.15 ppt

    What is this contaminant?

    Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. PFOS and other perfluorinated chemicals can cause serious health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, accelerated puberty, liver and immune system damage, and thyroid changes. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and they accumulate in people. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.

    Where it comes from: industry, runoff & sprawl.

What Takes It Out

EWG lists which home filter technologies reduce each contaminant. Counted against this utility's report:

Reverse osmosis

14 of 14

contaminants above the guideline, plus 14 other detected. Reverse osmosis is the drinking water system under the sink.

Reverse Osmosis

Activated carbon

13 of 14

contaminants above the guideline, plus 8 other detected. Activated carbon is the whole-house filter on the main line.

Whole-House Filtration

Ion exchange

1 of 14

contaminants above the guideline. Ion exchange is what a water softener does; it also takes out the hardness that scales your fixtures.

Water Softeners

A complete system stacks all three: carbon on the main line, a softener, and reverse osmosis at the kitchen sink. One flat price, installed by a licensed plumber near you.

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Other Contaminants Detected

Found in the water, under EWG's guideline. Shown as a share of the guideline so you can see what's close.

ContaminantThis utilityOf the guidelineLegal limitWhat filters it
Nitrate0.108 ppm
77% of 0.14 ppm
10 ppmIon exchange, Reverse osmosis
Cyanide71.1 ppb
36% of the legal limit
200 ppbIon exchange, Reverse osmosis
Fluoride0.682 ppm
17% of the legal limit
4 ppmReverse osmosis
Vanadium3.33 ppb
16% of 21 ppb
NoneIon exchange
Molybdenum1.79 ppb
4% of 40 ppb
NoneIon exchange, Reverse osmosis
Diquat0.200 ppb
3% of 6 ppb
20 ppbActivated carbon, Reverse osmosis
Barium11.5 ppb
2% of 700 ppb
2,000 ppbIon exchange, Reverse osmosis
Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA)2.39 ppt
0% of 1,000 ppt
NoneActivated carbon, Reverse osmosis
Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA)1.57 ppt
0% of 1,000 ppt
NoneActivated carbon, Reverse osmosis
Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)1.89 ppt
0% of 2,000 ppt
NoneActivated carbon, Reverse osmosis
Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA)0.700 ppt
0% of 1,000 ppt
NoneActivated carbon, Reverse osmosis
Monochloroacetic acid0.0271 ppb
0% of 53 ppb
NoneActivated carbon, Reverse osmosis
Strontium0.132 ppb
0% of 1,500 ppb
NoneIon exchange, Reverse osmosis
Hexadecanoic acid7.67 ppb
No guideline
NoneActivated carbon, Reverse osmosis
Octadecanoic acid4.40 ppb
No guideline
NoneActivated carbon, Reverse osmosis
212 chemicals tested for and not foundShow the list

1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, 1,1-Dichloroethane, 1,1-Dichloroethylene, 1,1-Dichloropropene, 1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2,3-Trichloropropane, 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene, 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloropropane, 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene, 1,3-Butadiene, 1,3-Dichloropropane, 1,4-Dioxane, 1-butanol, 11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic aci, 17-beta-Estradiol, 2,2-Dichloropropane, 2,3-Dichlorobiphenyl, 2,4,5-T, 2,4,5-TP (Silvex), 2,4,5-Trichlorobiphenyl, 2,4-D, 2,4-DB, 2-Chlorobiphenyl, 2-Hexanone, 2-methoxyethanol, 2-propen-1-ol, 22'3'46-Pentachlorobiphenyl, 22'33'44'6-Heptachlorobiphenyl, 22'33'45'66'-Octachlorobiphenyl, 22'44'-Tetrachlorobiphenyl, 22'44'56'-Hexachlorobiphenyl, 3,5-Dichlorobenzoic acid, 3-Hydroxycarbofuran, 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA), 4-Androstene-3,17-dione, 4:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid (4:2 FTSA), 6:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid (6:2 FTSA), 8:2 Fluorotelomer Sulfonic Acid (8:2 FTSA), 9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid (, Acenaphthene, Acenaphthylene, Acetone, Acifluorfen (Blazer), Acrylonitrile, Alachlor (Lasso), Aldicarb, Aldicarb sulfone, Aldicarb sulfoxide, Aldrin, alpha-Chlordane, Alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane, Aluminum, Anthracene, Antimony, Arsenic, Asbestos, Atrazine, Baygon (Propoxur), Bentazon (Basagran), Benzene, Benzo[a]anthracene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Benzo[b]fluoranthene, Benzo[g,h,i]perylene, Benzo[k]fluoranthene, Beryllium, Bromacil, Bromobenzene, Bromochloromethane, Bromomethane, Butachlor, Butanoic acid, 2,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluoro-4-(trifluoro, Butyl benzyl phthalate, Butylated hydroxyanisole, Cadmium, Carbaryl, Carbofuran, Carbon tetrachloride, Chloramben, Chlorate, Chlordane, Chlorodifluoromethane, Chloroethane, Chloromethane, Chlorpyriphos, Chromium (total), Chrysene, cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, cis-1,3-Dichloropropene, Cobalt, Combined uranium, Dalapon, Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Di-n-butyl phthalate, Dibenz[a,h]anthracene, Dibromomethane, Dicamba, Dichlorodifluoromethane, Dichloromethane (methylene chloride), Dichlorprop, Dieldrin, Diethyl phthalate, Dimethipin, Dimethyl phthalate, Dinoseb, Endothall, Endrin, Equilin, Estriol, Estrone, Ethinyl estradiol, Ethoprop, Ethyl methacrylate, Ethylbenzene, Ethylene dibromide, Fluorene, gamma-Chlordane, Germanium, Glyphosate, Heptachlor, Heptachlor epoxide, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Hexachlorobutadiene, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA), Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, Iodomethane, Isopropylbenzene, Lindane, Lithium, m-Dichlorobenzene, Manganese, Mercury (inorganic), Methiocarb, Methomyl, Methoxychlor, Methyl ethyl ketone, Methyl isobutyl ketone, Methyl methacrylate, Metolachlor, Metribuzin, Monobromoacetic acid, Monochlorobenzene (chlorobenzene), MTBE, n-Butylbenzene, N-ethyl perfluorooctane sulfonamido acetic acid (N, N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, n-Propylbenzene, Naphthalene, Nitrite, Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid, o-Chlorotoluene, o-Dichlorobenzene, o-toluidine, Oxamyl (Vydate), Oxyflurofen, p-Chlorotoluene, p-Dichlorobenzene, p-Isopropyltoluene, Paraquat, Pentachlorophenol, Perfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid, Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid (PFHpS), Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA), Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Perfluoropentane sulfonic acid (PFPeS), Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA), Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA), Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA), Permethrin, Phenanthrene, Picloram, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Profenofos, Propachlor, Propanoic acid, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro-3-(trifluorome, Pyrene, Quinclorac, Quinoline, Radium, combined (-226 & -228), sec-Butylbenzene, Selenium, Silver, Simazine, Styrene, Tebuconazole, tert-Butylbenzene, Testosterone, Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene), Tetrahydrofuran, Thallium, Toluene, Toxaphene, trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene, trans-1,3-Dichloropropene, trans-Nonachlor, Tribufos, Trichloroethylene, Trichlorofluoromethane, Trifluralin, Vinyl chloride, Xylenes (total).

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We install in Austin. Water softener installation in Austin, TX

Source: the EWG Tap Water Database, built from City of Austin Water & Wastewater's own testing in 2021-2023, as reported to the state and the EPA. Legal limits are federal (or state) maximums; health guidelines are the levels EWG's scientists consider protective, usually set by a state or federal public health authority. “Times over” compares the utility's annual average with the guideline. Last pulled October 2026.Hardness isn't in EWG's data; ours is an area estimate.

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Your utility's own test results, from the EWG Tap Water Database: what's in the water, how it compares with health guidelines, and what takes it out.

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